Legacy gift is a real lifesaver

Pamela Bailey presents the defibrillator from the Adam appeal to Blackpool Sixth Form College to Dave Williams one of the Lead Pastoral Mentors

Published:06:00Tuesday 21 March 2017

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Saving lives is high on the timetable after Blackpool Sixth Form College was presented with a defibrillator.

Housed in the college’s sports hall, this latest equipment will strengthen the college’s readiness for potentially life-saving cardiac first aid for students, staff or those using the sports facility.

I’m delighted to support such a magnificent charity

The college was contacted by the Garstang-based charity, The ADAM Appeal, after it received a donation from former Blackpool resident, Simon Wells.

He asked for the money to be used to provide a defibrillator unit to a school or college in the resort as a tribute to his late daughter.

Mr Wells said: “I am delighted to have supported such a magnificent charity that not only honours the memory of Adam but actively places defibrillators and arranges training in prominent public and community locations.

He added: “I lost my daughter Sally four years ago aged 17 to cardiac arrest and as well as supporting Cardiac Risk in the Young and the British Heart Foundation I am particularly glad to support the Adam appeal and it’s highly practical work.

“As a sandgrown lad I am particularly proud to know that my donation will benefit Blackpool Sixth Form College. I wish the ADAM Appeal every future success.”

The ADAM Appeal was set up after the tragic death of Adam Swanwick, who was only 28 in 2012 when he died from a heart attack.

He was in the car with his fiancée on the way to try out food for their forthcoming wedding.

Adam’s fiancée, Louise Ayre and his sister-in-law, Pamela Bailey set up the charity in memory of Adam and it raises funds to provide cardiac defibrillators to schools, colleges, sports halls and community venues and raises awareness of cardiac risk in young people.

So far, it has raised 62 defibrillators for community use, costing around £650 each.

Pamela, who works as a nurse in Lancaster, went into the college to hand over the defibrillator to staff and students. The college is arranging with The Adam Appeal for a training event for sports staff in the use and maintenance of the defibrillator.